24th of July Traditions

I have so many pictures from our 24th celebration I decided to condense them. I will do something fun with them for the scrapbook, but for now...

My mom is such a good sport. She always sleeps out with all 9 grandkids on the trampoline after the movie. This year a campaign began among some of the children--two of mine included--to sleep inside the house. I told them sleeping out was great (I'm not about to disrupt tradition) so I enthusiastically joined them.

I have in my memory a few horrible night's sleeps. There is now one more added to that list. I kept waking up to scoot back toward the outer edges of the tramp, looking at the sky, wishing for sunrise. It was one of those nights where I was actually awake more than I was asleep. Finally at 4 am I was all, "to heck with this." (Cleaning up verbage for posterity sakes.) And I went inside.

Next we all went to the parade. We go every year. I think I have only missed one--the one when I was on my mission.
The kids run after candy, play with cap guns, wave at princesses and get sprayed with water guns. I love the bag pipes, the huge Icelandic flag and all the vintage cars.

A few thoughts I had during the parade.

I love my hometown.

I get choked up when I stand for the flag.

Seeing the 20-year reunion float, I realized that in 2 years that is me--yikes.

I loved seeing my grandparents there--every year I am so glad that they are still there.

I have really bad feelings towards/about a few Utah County politicians.

I love my heritage and I need to do better at teaching my children theirs.

I still have a thing for cowboys.

Every year Grandma B buys tickets for her whole family to the Fiesta Days Rodeo. This year it was 40 people. We always sit in the same section. For as long as I can remember going to the rodeo, I remember having conflicting feelings about it. I particularly dislike the calf-roping competition. I find that I am often silently cheering for the animal. It's not the first time I have done it, but this year a calf escaped out of the gate and ran past us and I cheered for him--out loud. I have a thing for cows too.

The kids love their cowboy attire.

It was really windy, so I didn't get many pictures.

During the rodeo Mike pointed out that Jessica had a look on her face that says, "I just don't get it." She did like seeing the cowgirls with sparkly outfits, but overall I don't think she's a rodeo fan. The other three enjoy it. Every year Christian begs to do the Mutton Bustin--I just might let him--I don't necessarily have any tender feelings for sheep.